Computer Program Detail Page

2-D Collision of Pucks -- Center of Mass Velocity

written by
Aaron Titus

This lab uses Tracker video analysis software to measure and analyze the center of mass of a system of two pucks during a two-dimensional collision. Students measure the initial and final velocity vector for each puck and calculate the center-of-mass velocity of the system before and after the collision and show that it is constant. Tracker can automatically calculate and mark the center of mass in each frame, so it is easy to see that the center of mass velocity is constant and calculate its value from graphs of center-of-mass variables.

The zip file contains the lab handout, a video showing a 2-D collision of pucks, and the Tracker file. The video copyright is Flashmedia.

Video Analysis of a 2-D Collision of Pucks -- Center of Mass Velocity
This lab handout guides students using Tracker to calculate the center of mass of a system of two pucks that undergo a two-dimensional colllision.download 182kb .pdf
Last Modified: January 9, 2011

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